Ukrainian forces consume a quantity of ammunition far greater than the production of NATO member states, which must imperatively increase their capacities, warned Monday the Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg. "The current rate of ammunition use by Ukraine is much higher than our current rate of production," he said during a press conference on the eve of a meeting of ministers of Defense of NATO countries.
“This puts our defense industries under pressure,” added Jens Stoltenberg. "Yes, we have a problem, yes, it's a challenge," he acknowledged, noting that the Alliance had begun to act, referring to both short-term capability increases - with weekend work for example – but also, in the medium term, investments in production capacities. The subject will be discussed on Tuesday during a meeting of the support group for Ukraine led by the United States, and later by the defense ministers of the Alliance states, he said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov will participate in both meetings and will inform the allies of the needs of the Ukrainian forces, Jens Stoltenberg said. The supply of combat aircraft will be discussed, he continued. But "it will take time and the short-term priorities are ammunition and armaments promised with fuel and spare parts", insisted the secretary general of NATO.
Consult our file: War in Ukraine
